Leadership Wooster class hears uptown, downtown perspectives

Published: September 8, 2004 12:00AM

By NAOMI SNYDER
Staff Writer
WOOSTER Selena Pertee was born and raised in Wooster, but still is learning about her hometown as a member of Leadership Wooster's 2004 class.
"I've lived in Wooster all my life, but I'm learning things about different aspects of the community," Pertee said.
Pertee is the personal lines department manager at Whitaker-Myers Insurance.
"I was encouraged by my employer to join the class, and I'm hoping to enhance my leadership skills and meet people in community," Pertee said. "Last week was only the second session, and I was nervous about going in and not knowing anyone, but everyone seems really nice and really willing to work together."
On Sept. 1, Leadership classmates learned about community development from a panel composed of Sandra Hull of Main Street Wooster; Mayor Jamie Howey; Tricia Walker of Tricia Marie's Salon; Larry Wentz of Sam and Stan's Army-Navy; former Retzler's Hardware Store owner Joe Retzler; Val Jesionek, planning and zoning manager for Wooster; Jerry Baker, area developer; Sue Williams of the Home Builders Association of Wayne and Holmes Counties; Margo Broehl of the Wooster Growth Corp.; and Dave Marlar of the Wayne Economic Development Council.
"They learned the differences of opinions between business people downtown and on the north end, but found they're all cohesive," said Brenda Courson, project coordinator for the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce. "They learned what the community has been and hopefully what it will be."
"It was quite a bit of information. Mr. Retzler spoke, and he knew a lot of the city history which was very interesting to me," Pertee said.
Gary Baldwin, general manager of Alice Noble Ice Arena, moved to Wooster eight months ago and has found Leadership Wooster a perfect way to meet people and learn about his new home.
"I'm new to the area, which is why this is even more important. I'm having the time of my life. The people I've met have just been wonderful, and the opportunity to sit and listen to history and what's going on in the community is wonderful," Baldwin said.
He said he enjoyed listening to the speakers who offered ideas for the growth of Wooster.
"I thought it was good to have an opportunity to hear both what downtown merchants have to say about the community and about the north end and the different perspectives everyone has," Baldwin said.
The group also embarked on the planning stage of a community project.
"We developed a steering committee for our project, and I'm hoping that will help me get more involved with community," Pertee said.
The project is meant to improve the community in some way.
"We'll be meeting sometime next week to talk about ideas," Pertee said.
No matter what the project ends up being, Baldwin is simply happy to be part of the group.
"These relationships are going to be something, I think, that lasts a lifetime," Baldwin said.
The group's next session will be a community service, volunteerism and human services day.
Business Editor and health reporter Naomi Snyder can be reached at (330) 287-1623 or e-mail nsnyder@the-daily-record.com.